Awareness over
terror threat

Published:15:00Saturday 06 December 2014

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Police officers were at railway stations in Rother and Hastings last weekend speaking to train passengers about the threat of terrorism.

It was carried out as part of a series of events to brief communities on the terrorist threat, as part of National Counter-Terrorism Awareness Week, which ran across the country from Monday, November 24 to Sunday, November 30.

Across Sussex more than 100 police officers and staff handed out leaflets at train stations and spoke to members of the public to help promote reporting of suspicious activity with an ultimate goal of building confidence and reassurance.

Officers and staff taking part included many who normally work in less visible areas of policing, such as staff training, professional standards, witness care, schools liaison and command teams. They joined local frontline colleagues in spreading the message to the public.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Barry, of Sussex Police, said: “The key message is that local communities play a vital role in preventing and identifying terrorism and by working together we can make people safer.

“We are encouraging the public to call the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 if they have seen or heard anything that could be terrorist-related.

“We used the opportunity of this awareness week to hold events as part of our continuing series of ‘All Out Days’ in which colleagues who usually work in essential but less visible areas of our work can support frontline colleagues giving the added benefit of enhanced visibility out on the streets of Sussex.

“We look forward to engaging proactively with the pub to promote the reporting of suspicious activity, to encourage dialogue on terrorism issues and reinforce reporting mechanisms and to encourage the public to be vigilant and alert but not alarmed.”

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, said: “This is an important exercise given the current climate that we are living in.”